On July 19, 1941, the 10th Panzer Division of the Wehrmacht, marching at the forefront of the 46th motorized corps of the 2nd Panzer Group of Guderian, occupied Yelnya. A further offensive in the direction of Spas-Demensk was stopped by the 24th Army and the enemy was forced to go on the defensive.

The Wehrmacht operation "Typhoon" began in the southwestern direction on September 30, 1941. The defense of the Soviet troops was built in accordance with the Charter of the Armed Forces - 2/3 divisions on the front line were deterrent, 1/3 - a reserve for a counterattack.